I sat back down at the vanity table still smiling after Chanel had left.
I knew it was wrong to tease her, but as a friend I am totally entitled to the 'I told you so' moment, and serves her right for trying to go against fate.
I fished up my make up before removing the curlers from hair and finally stepped into my dress. Normally I would be flustered at how fast the day had gone by, but now I'm antsy at the prospect of seeing Cesare soon. Once I finally slipped my heels on I was running on pure adrenaline, tonight I would be introduced for the first time ever as Cesare's mate, his future Luna.
The sounds of music softly floated up and spilled into my room and I knew people would be arriving soon, if I knew Cesare as much as I think I do, he will be here already.
I finally opened the door to the bedroom I was staying in and was greeted with the sounds of party goers and music.
I looked to Channel's bedroom and saw that her door was shut and noticed the light was also off, she would be downstairs then...I would have to question her about Vincent and her being mates later.
I made my way carefully down the large staircase, my eyes sweeping the entire transformed living area in search of Cesare.
But once I stepped off of the last step his voice filled my ears.
"How ravishing you are tonight Cara Mia."
I closed my eyes and smiled before I opened my eyes and turned to face him.
He looked so dashing in his formal tuxedo, I could look at him forever, the picture of sophistication but I quiet enjoyed when he bent down and gave my lips a light peck.
"I've missed you Amore Mio." I sounded, fully prepared to have him kiss me once more but our time alone was cut short.
"Nephew."
The sound of a third voice pulled us from our lovingly reunion.
"Uncle." Cesare replied.
"And little Nipote," he smiled "looking lovely as ever."
"Hello Luca." I sounded as he too bend down, only he placed a kiss on each of my cheeks in a respectful manner.
"We should go and wish Alpha Addams happy birthday." Cesare suggested before taking my hand in his and escorting us over to Garland and Grand Poppy.
Chanel's family embraced me warmly, my best friend on the other hand was a little away from us in conversation with a group of people, Vincent amongst them.
I smiled at them and Garland must've have followed my gaze.
"Those two really hit it off." He said with pride.
I smiled further "I've noticed."
"I have it on good authority that Vincent will ask Chanel to come and visit his pack this summer." Alpha Garland beamed.
"I wouldn't imagine her turning that down."
"Nephew, if I may." Luca suddenly put in.
I looked up at him and noticed he had his hand outstretched to me, I smiled before obliging him. Luca escorted me to the dance floor, the song had already started but he didn't miss a beat as he lead the steps of the dance.
"So the firecracker's found herself a boyfriend." He sounded.
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh, "seems that way." I said, "I'm happy for her, I have to admit, these past couple of weeks she hasn't been herself."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, one minute she seems alright, then she loses herself to her thoughts and becomes almost sad." I recalled.
Something in his movements changed as the dance then became almost buoyant.
"But as Alpha Garland said, she'll be going to visit Vincent over the summer so she shouldn't be sad anymore."
"I wouldn't read too much into that." He stated flatly.
"I don't know, I'm pretty sure they're mates."
He stopped us from moving and we awkwardly stood there on the dance floor before he realized what he had done, he took my hand once more and the dance continued.
"Did she say that he was her mate?"
"Well," to be honest she hadn't. She never actually said she found her mate, nor that Vincent was her mate...but then why would she bring up a guy? "I-I guess not."
The dance ended and We clapped for the musicians before Luca lead me away from the dance floor.
"Would you care for a drink whilst we wait for your mate to return?" He asked sweetly.
I nodded, "thank you."
As Luca disappeared I looked around for Cesare, he was nowhere to be seen.
"Evalina?"
I tensed at the sound of my name, I slowly turned to find my sister.
I hadn't seen her since the dreaded thanksgiving dinner, a lot of things were said that night, I also learned of my own sisters true colors.
"Gianna."
She rushed over as she pulled along a guy who looked vaguely familiar. She pulled me into a hug, it seemed that no love was lost with my rant about her being a manipulative bitch, I on the other hand was still having my reservations toward her.
"What are you doing here," she asked..."oh forgive me, i don't know if you remember Trent, Trent this is my sister Evalina."
He smiled and shook my hand, "I haven't seen you since you were a kid."
I nodded and return his smile before going back to face Gianna, "I didn't expect to see you here" I admitted, "as for me, I'm...well in here with my mate."
I felt almost nervous saying that out loud, if only she knew truth. Then again, a sense of pride also fell out of me as the word flowed so easily.
Her eyes went wide before a full smile broke out on her face, just then Luca walked over.
"I apologize for the wait, I couldn't find any servers with their trays and there was actually a line for drinks." He chuckled as he handed me a small fluke of champagne.
I watched as Gianna eyed Luca, she was connecting two and two and she couldn't have been more wrong.
"Luca I would like to introduce you to my sister Gianna, Gia this is Luca Minicci."
She looked at me and then to Trent before she extended her hand to Luca, "charmed, I'm sure." She smirked.
"It always amazes me when beauty runs in the family." He smiled before he kissed her hand. "Would you care to dance, with your dates permission of course."
Trent gave a small bow of consent and then Luca lead Gianna to the dance floor.
I stood with Trent off to the side and resigned to my search for Cesare.
"Looking for someone?" He asked kindly.
"I am, my mate to be exact." I confessed.
"But I thought-"
"Me and Luca" I laughed, "no, that's actually my mates uncle...but now it seems that Cesare has gone missing."
Trent looked down at me before he looked back at my sister, with a deep sigh he finally spoke, "I can help you look for Cesare, if I recall correctly, your sister and I saw him near the front of the house when we entered."
"What on earth would he be doing up there?"
"You know us Alphas, we love to network for allies." He chuckled before he placed his hand between my shoulders and gently pushed me in the direction he said Cesare would be.
I walked on with him, smiling at everyone who I passed in the process, soon we were at the front door and there was no sight of him.
"Perhaps he made his way outside, there are quite a bit of smokers out here talking business."
I knew it'd be strange for Cesare to be outside amongst the smokers, but we technically were here in place of his parents, no doubt he would have to conduct business as his father would, so I followed Trent outside, then a group of guys turned to look at us, Cesare was not amongst them, but they came forward.
"This her?" One asked.
Trent nodded. "Make it quick, and remember the rules, I don't want any details."
And just like that he walked away.
My heart raced with fear, my wolf knew something was wrong, I went to run but one of the men grabbed me. My voice seemed to catch in my throat as I wanted to scream for help but nothing came out.
Suddenly Gianna's words rang in my head, she wanted to make Cesare pay, what better way than to take his mate.
But would even she be behind something this evil?
Slow tears fell as the men threw me into the back of a catering van before taking off.